SB 1107 -- HAND FISHING

SPONSOR:  Cauthorn (Hobbs)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 8 to 4.

This bill allows hand fishing of catfish and carp any time during
the months of June and July within all Missouri waters open for
hook-and-line fishing.  The number of catfish taken by hand is
limited to five per season.  Any person engaging in hand fishing
must use only his or her bare hands and not use any artificial
breathing apparatus or other artificial structures.  The
Department of Conservation will furnish a form to each person
taking catfish by hand to provide the department with a complete
report within 10 days following the close of the season.  Failure
to do so will be sufficient cause for the denial of a fishing
permit for the following season, and any violation of the laws
regarding hand fishing will be a class A misdemeanor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill regulates the sport of
hand fishing, and hand fishermen have been very responsible by
requesting regulations regarding hand fishing.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Cauthorn; Noodlers
Anonymous; Missouri Federation of Animal Owners; and Missouri
Farm Bureau.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that there are
biological concerns with permitting hand fishing in this state.
A study is being conducted regarding those concerns, and it would
be good to complete the study before legalizing the sport.

Testifying against the bill was Department of Conservation.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:47 am